OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER

COVID-19 SMS & EMAIL NOTIFICATIONS

To receive SMS text notifications & emails related specifically to Haltom City COVID-19 Declarations, Orders & related information, please fill out the form linked below. You can also text the keyword HCTXCOVID19 to 888777 to receive only SMS text notifications.

March 22, 2020

DECLARATION OF EMERGENCY (2nd Amendment)

Effective: 5:00 p.m. | March 22, 2020

CITY OF HALTOM CITY

The City of Haltom City is working with its partners at Tarrant County Public Health to closely monitor the COVID-19 outbreak. As of 5:00 p.m. on March 20, 2020, Tarrant County Public Health reported 10 new positive COVID-19 cases in Tarrant County. As of March 20, 2020, the total number of positive cases in Tarrant County stands at 29. The new positive cases are in Arlington (4); Euless (1); Fort Worth (2); Keller (1); and Lakeside (2). Two COVID-19 cases have also recovered from the virus.

HALTOM CITY DECLARES PUBLIC EMERGENCY DUE TO COVID-19

On March 18, 2020 the City of Haltom City declared a State of Emergency due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation. The Emergency Declaration has been amended, effective at 5:00 p.m. March 22, 2020 and will be in place until further notice. This declaration for Haltom City mirrors the version issued by Tarrant County on Saturday, March 21, 2020.

A copy of the signed Emergency Declaration is linked above and embedded below.

ABOUT THE COVID-19 VIRUS

COVID-19 causes a respiratory illness with fever and cough, may lead to severe pneumonia and is similar to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS).

Coronaviruses are part of a large family of viruses, which can sometimes cause lower-respiratory tract illnesses, such as pneumonia or bronchitis. Symptoms are similar to the flu and include runny nose, headache, cough, sore throat, fever and a general feeling of being unwell. This is more common in people with weakened immune systems.

At this time, it is believed that the virus is easily transmitted through person-to-person contact, especially in group settings and it is essential we work to slow transmission to the greatest extent possible.

Prevention tips

Although there is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19, the best way to prevent infection is to take these precautions:

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.

Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

Stay home when you are sick.

Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.

Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.

To mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 virus, Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley today signed a second amended disaster declaration due to a local health emergency. Go to the Tarrant County website for the complete order which includes a more comprehensive list.

The new restrictions, which go into effect today, March 21, 2020 at 6:00 p.m., will close in-person worship services but will allow worship support staff to facilitate online services.

The new rules will also close malls and other non-essential retail establishments such as barber shops, hair salons, nail salons as well spas and massage parlors.

Essential services such as grocery stores, pharmacies and other establishments that sell household goods will remain open.

In-house dining at restaurants remains closed but drive-in, drive-through, takeout and delivery are still permitted.

There should be no gatherings of more than 10 people regardless of the situation. There is no distinction between the types of gatherings in the amended declaration.

“We cannot stress enough that Tarrant County residents practice social distancing where you stay at least 6 feet away from other individuals,” Whitley said. “You need to have sufficient space to have people be at least 6 feet apart. To whatever degree possible, we would encourage you to have sign-in logs to keep track of everyone you have come in contact with.”

COVID-19 causes respiratory illness with cough, fever, and shortness of breath, and may lead to bronchitis and severe pneumonia.

Tarrant County Public Health encourages everyone to continue to follow basic preventive measures to protect from COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses, including:

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer as a supplement.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

Stay home when you are sick. If you have trouble breathing, or a persistent fever, call your primary care provider.

Declaration of Emergency (Amended) - March 20, 2020

March 20, 2020

DECLARATION OF EMERGENCY (Amended)

CITY OF HALTOM CITY

The City of Haltom City is working with its partners at Tarrant County Public Health to closely monitor the COVID-19 outbreak. As of 5:00 p.m. on March 17, 2020, Tarrant County Public Health has identified six positive cases of COVID-19 in Tarrant County, with one confirmed death. On March 17, 2020 Tarrant County extended its disaster declaration for a period of 90 days unless rescinded by an order of the Commissioners Court.

HALTOM CITY DECLARES PUBLIC EMERGENCY DUE TO COVID-19

On March 18, 2020 the City of Haltom City declared a State of Emergency due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation. The Emergency Declaration has been amended, effective at 12:01 a.m. March 21, 2020 and will be in place until further notice.

A copy of the signed Emergency Declaration is linked above and embedded below.

Occupancy Limits

The City of Haltom City is enacting mandatory, precautionary measures to limit the spread of COVID-19:

Gatherings of 10 people or more are cancelled.

Bars, lounges, taverns, arcades, private clubs are closed.

Restaurants can only serve food through drive-in/drive thru services, take-out and delivery. Sit-down dining is prohibited.

High risk population is encouraged to not attend any non-essential gatherings during this order.

Nursing homes, retirement and long term-care facilities will prohibit non-essential visitors unless to provide crucial assistance or end of life visitation.

ALL employees must stay home if they are sick.

The occupancy of the following locations are limited to 50% occupancy as set forth on the business' certificate(s) of occupancy or 10 individuals, whichever is less:a. Event Centers;b. Hotel Meeting Spaces, and Ballrooms;c. Retail Stores;d. Convenience Stores;e. Plazas; andf. Places of Worship.

This 50% occupancy limit does not apply to areas not listed above, including office buildings, government buildings, critical infrastructure such as airport and transit facilities, residential buildings, grocery stores, manufacturing locations, non-profit service providers, homeless and emergency shelters, day cares and medical facilities.

Businesses of all types should implement social distancing with customers to the greatest extent possible. Retail locations, convenience and grocery stores, churches, and other publicly accessed areas should ensure that their patrons maintain 6 feet of distance between themselves.

Cancellations/Closings

The precautionary measures listed below will be effective immediately and will remain in place until further notice.

City Hall interior will be closed. Employees will be utilizing email, electronic meetings, and telephone to conduct business.

Police and Fire Emergency Responses will continue as always. However, Police and Fire Department’s interiors will be closed to facility tours and visitors. Police and Fire lobbies will remain open to emergency walk-ins and customers needing to report an emergency. Employees will be utilizing email, electronic meetings, telephone, or other means to conduct business.

Water bills can be paid by utilizing the drop box on the East side of City Hall instead of the inside window. Accepted payment options for the drop-box include check & money order. Cash payments may also be placed in the drop-box ONLY DURING BUSINESS HOURS, which are Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (excluding holidays). No change will be provided, and any payment in the amount over what is due will be credited to the account. The drop-box will be emptied at the end of each business day. Payments may also be made through the automated phone system and through the online payment portal.

All city sponsored special events will be cancelled or postponed.

The Haltom Senior Center will be closed. We will be delivering lunch to our Senior Center members...please call the center to make your lunch reservation by noon the day before at 817-834-8021.

The Recreation Center is closed.

All organized athletic uses in city parks and fields are cancelled.

The Haltom City Public Library interior will be closed. Citizens needing to check-out and/or check-in library materials are encouraged to use the library drive thru.

All city facilities will be closed to walk-in traffic. Employees will be utilizing email, phone & internet to conduct city business.

Ancillary Boards and Commission meetings are suspended.

City Council Meetings, Zoning Board of Adjustments, Economic Development Corporation, and Planning and Zoning meetings will be scheduled on an as-needed basis, with social distancing and precautionary measures in place. Fluid changes may take place as it relates to these meetings.

ABOUT THE COVID-19 VIRUS

COVID-19 causes a respiratory illness with fever and cough, may lead to severe pneumonia and is similar to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS).

Coronaviruses are part of a large family of viruses, which can sometimes cause lower-respiratory tract illnesses, such as pneumonia or bronchitis. Symptoms are similar to the flu and include runny nose, headache, cough, sore throat, fever and a general feeling of being unwell. This is more common in people with weakened immune systems.

At this time, it is believed that the virus is easily transmitted through person-to-person contact, especially in group settings and it is essential we work to slow transmission to the greatest extent possible.

Prevention tips

Although there is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19, the best way to prevent infection is to take these precautions:

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.

Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

Stay home when you are sick.

Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.

Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.

Declaration of Emergency - March 18, 2020

March 18, 2020

DECLARATION OF EMERGENCY

CITY OF HALTOM CITYOFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER

The City of Haltom City is working with its partners at Tarrant County Public Health to closely monitor the COVID-19 outbreak. As of 5:00 p.m. on March 17, 2020, Tarrant County Public Health has identified six positive cases of COVID-19 in Tarrant County, with one confirmed death. On March 17, 2020 Tarrant County extended its disaster declaration for a period of 90 days unless rescinded by an order of the Commissioners Court.

HALTOM CITY DECLARES PUBLIC EMERGENCY DUE TO COVID-19

On March 18, 2020 the City of Haltom City declared a State of Emergency due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation. The declaration is effective at 12:01 a.m. March 19, 2020 and will be in place until further notice.

A copy of the signed Emergency Declaration is linked above and embedded below.

Occupancy Limits

The City of Haltom City is enacting mandatory, precautionary measures to limit the spread of COVID-19:

Gatherings of 50 people or more are cancelled.

Bars, lounges, taverns, arcades, private clubs are closed.

Restaurants can only serve food through drive-in/drive thru services, take-out and delivery. Sit-down dining is prohibited.

High risk population is encouraged to not attend any non-essential gatherings during this order.

Nursing homes, retirement and long term-care facilities will prohibit non-essential visitors unless to provide crucial assistance or end of life visitation.

ALL employees must stay home if they are sick.

The occupancy of the following locations are limited to 50% occupancy as set forth on the business' certificate(s) of occupancy or 50 individuals, whichever is less:a. Event Centers;b. Hotel Meeting Spaces, and Ballrooms;c. Retail Stores;d. Convenience Stores;e. Plazas; andf. Places of Worship.

This 50% occupancy limit does not apply to areas not listed above, including office buildings, government buildings, critical infrastructure such as airport and transit facilities, residential buildings, grocery stores, manufacturing locations, non-profit service providers, homeless and emergency shelters, day cares and medical facilities.

Businesses of all types should implement social distancing with customers to the greatest extent possible. Retail locations, convenience and grocery stores, churches, and other publicly accessed areas should ensure that their patrons maintain 6 feet of distance between themselves.

Cancellations/Closings

The precautionary measures listed below will be effective immediately and will remain in place until further notice.

City Hall interior will be closed. Employees will be utilizing email, electronic meetings, and telephone to conduct business.

Police and Fire Emergency Responses will continue as always. However, Police and Fire Department’s interiors will be closed to facility tours and visitors. Police and Fire lobbies will remain open to emergency walk-ins and customers needing to report an emergency. Employees will be utilizing email, electronic meetings, telephone, or other means to conduct business.

Water bills can be paid by utilizing the drop box on the East side of City Hall instead of the inside window. Accepted payment options for the drop-box include check & money order. Cash payments may also be placed in the drop-box ONLY DURING BUSINESS HOURS, which are Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (excluding holidays). No change will be provided, and any payment in the amount over what is due will be credited to the account. The drop-box will be emptied at the end of each business day. Payments may also be made through the automated phone system and through the online payment portal.

All city sponsored special events will be cancelled or postponed.

The Haltom Senior Center will be closed. We will be delivering lunch to our Senior Center members...please call the center to make your lunch reservation by noon the day before at 817-834-8021.

The Recreation Center is closed.

All organized athletic uses in city parks and fields are cancelled.

The Haltom City Public Library interior will be closed. Citizens needing to check-out and/or check-in library materials are encouraged to use the library drive thru.

All city facilities will be closed to walk-in traffic. Employees will be utilizing email, phone & internet to conduct city business.

Ancillary Boards and Commission meetings are suspended.

City Council Meetings, Zoning Board of Adjustments, Economic Development Corporation, and Planning and Zoning meetings will be scheduled on an as-needed basis, with social distancing and precautionary measures in place. Fluid changes may take place as it relates to these meetings.

ABOUT THE COVID-19 VIRUS

COVID-19 causes a respiratory illness with fever and cough, may lead to severe pneumonia and is similar to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS).

Coronaviruses are part of a large family of viruses, which can sometimes cause lower-respiratory tract illnesses, such as pneumonia or bronchitis. Symptoms are similar to the flu and include runny nose, headache, cough, sore throat, fever and a general feeling of being unwell. This is more common in people with weakened immune systems.

At this time, it is believed that the virus is easily transmitted through person-to-person contact, especially in group settings and it is essential we work to slow transmission to the greatest extent possible.

Prevention tips

Although there is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19, the best way to prevent infection is to take these precautions:

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.

Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

Stay home when you are sick.

Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.

Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.

COVID-19 Declaration & Response - March 18, 2020

March 18, 2020

CITY OF HALTOM CITYOFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER

On March 13, 2020, Haltom City City Manager Rex Phelps released new guidelines and precautionary measures the city was implementing to protect staff & citizenry from the pandemic outbreak of COVID-19. This action was based largely on Tarrant County's emergency declaration announcement on the same day.

This afternoon, Mayor An Truong will be issuing an emergency declaration effective within the city limits of Haltom City, Texas. Residents should anticipate more restrictive measures to be put in place. These measures will take effect at midnight tonight.

When the declaration is made the information will be posted here and on our social media accounts.

March 13, 2020

CITY OF HALTOM CITYOFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER

Dear Citizens and Friends,

Yesterday, we sent out directives and precautions for our Haltom City employees to follow in order to protect our community and each other during this Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. This follow-up directive will be further reaching as it relates to specific departments, city services and large gatherings. Please know that these decisions are not made lightly but our city leadership’s main priority is the health and well-being of our community and our Great Nation as a whole. This is an evolving situation and we will stay informed and proactively adapt as needed.

The precautionary measures listed below will be effective immediately and will sustain until further notice. The goal is to do things that potentially and significantly limit the spread of COVID-19.

Affected City Services and Community Events

All city sponsored special events will be cancelled or postponed.

The Haltom Senior Center will be closed. Seniors are among the most vulnerable to the COVID-a9. We will be delivering lunch to our senior center members Monday - Friday between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Please call the center to make your lunch reservation by noon the day before at 817-834-8021.

The Recreation Center will be closed for at least two weeks to be consistent with Birdville Independent School District and Tarrant County Health Department recommendations – including the organized athletic uses in city parks and fields. It should be understood during this past week of Spring Break many have been traveling and a 14-day period limiting interaction is important upon their return.

The Haltom City Public Library interior will be closed. Citizens needing to check-out and/or check-in library materials are encouraged to use the library drive thru.

City Boards and Commissions

Our City Council, Zoning Board of Adjustments, Economic Development Corporation and Planning and Zoning meetings will continue but all participants and attendees are asked to not shake hands, create distance when possible and do not attend if sick. All other boards and commission meetings should be cancelled for these ancillary boards unless a meeting is deemed necessary. These meetings should be coordinated by the city liaison and the respective board chairman.

General Precautions for Citizens

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. If soap and water are not available, use alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.

Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

Keep at least a distance of 6’ between you and others whenever possible.

Clean and disinfect touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.

On behalf of our Mayor, City Council Members and staff we are so thankful for our citizenry and it is our sincere hope that these precautions have a positive impact on the health and well-being of our great community. It is better to be proactive than reactive with these types of situations. We attempt to not overreact, but even more importantly, we never want to under-react. We are working to strike the proper balance in our efforts to protect our citizenry and our staff.I would like to thank our Mayor and City Council for their expressed concerns, support and their dedication to making health and safety the top priority.